Newsletter

Sand Gnats owner: We've been open with the city

When we purchased the Sand Gnats five years ago, it was because we wanted to own and operate the team in Savannah for the long term. We love Savannah and its rich history of baseball, which dates all the way back to the Civil War.

Most importantly, we love our devoted fans and the families who come out to watch our Gnats in spite of hot and humid weather, a facility that lacks modern amenities like adequate restrooms and concessions, and the namesake insects that bite. These fans cheered Savannah’s team on to win the 2013 League Championship. That trophy belongs to them as much as it belongs to the team.

We have worked diligently to be good corporate citizens, supporting countless Savannah non-profits, sponsoring reading incentive programs for over 12,000 kids a year, serving as tutors to youth and many other programs.

Regardless of what some may say, the Sand Gnats do not want to leave Savannah.

Unfortunately, there are numerous challenges in operating an aging, neglected facility. These inadequacies were documented in a 2000 feasibility study conducted for the city by three independent firms who concluded that “existing deficiencies within the Daffin Park location cannot be overcome” and that a new facility should be constructed “near the city core.” Problems have only worsened 14 years later.

Over four years ago, we shared with the city a plan to develop a multi-use outdoor sports and entertainment venue in downtown Savannah. Modeled on extremely successful facilities in cities like Durham, Greenville, Birmingham, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Louisville and Fort Wayne, the venue would serve as a multi-use outdoor event venue. It would catalyze economic development, create jobs, bring entertainment and tourist dollars into the city, and provide an amenity for citizens and visitors.

For the last four years we have worked in good faith with city leaders to extend our time at and maintain and improve Grayson, patiently waiting for the city to conduct the due diligence necessary to make an informed decision about the proposal. We have been straightforward in all of our discussions, explaining that, while we love the historic aspects of Grayson, we cannot continue to operate there for the long term.

Due to the temporary lease status, we have been contacted by nearly a dozen cities seeking to lure our team to their communities. We have been transparent with the city and the media regarding that fact, particularly concerning conversations with the City of Columbia, S.C.. It is disconcerting to hear and read that we somehow have been engaged in covert negotiations to move the team.

Columbia has plans to develop a large downtown parcel of land, much like Savannah River Landing, which we and the master developer for that property hope will include a minor league ballpark/multi-purpose outdoor entertainment venue. If Columbia moves forward, our group would bring a minor league team to Columbia.

While one option could be to relocate the Sand Gnats to Columbia, we have been very clear that we would prefer to own teams in both cities. We are prepared to acquire another team to move to Columbia if circumstances warrant.

Whether Savannah has baseball for the long term is not dependent on what Columbia does, it is dependent on what Savannah does. If Savannah chooses to partner with us on a multi-use venue that can host the Sand Gnats, we will co-invest in that venue and commit to keeping a team here for decades.

In December 2013, Savannah City Council directed staff to put out an RFP for an economic impact study, conducted by an independent firm, to thoroughly evaluate all aspects of the proposed venue project. To date, that RFP has not gone out.

After four years of discussions, the time has come for the city to conduct the due diligence necessary to make an informed decision based on facts and not sentiment, nostalgia or emotion. We urge the city to honor the commitment that was made in a public meeting to study the multi-use entertainment venue proposal in depth.

We would love nothing better than for the Sand Gnats to call Savannah home for many decades and generations to come.